West Ham FLOP who was sold in 2023 has become a “deadly” weapon and star in his current team. He’s now outscoring West Ham’s New signing.

West Ham United’s 2024/25 Premier League season has begun with mixed results, leaving the club in 13th place with three points from their first three matches. With one win and two losses, the team faces an uphill battle as they head into the international break. Despite signing a new striker, Niclas Füllkrug, veteran Michail Antonio has remained the first choice for manager Julen Lopetegui, starting all three Premier League matches so far. Füllkrug has only featured in the EFL Cup and as a substitute in the league.

Last season, Füllkrug was a key player for Borussia Dortmund, making 46 appearances across all competitions. He scored 16 goals, provided 10 assists, and played a total of 3,605 minutes. However, one former West Ham player has outperformed him since leaving the club, raising questions about whether the Hammers made a mistake in letting him go.

In the summer of 2022, West Ham signed Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo for a substantial fee of £35.5 million, with the Italian forward committing to a five-year contract. However, his time in East London was marred by injuries and inconsistent form. Scamacca managed just 27 appearances in all competitions during his single season with the club, scoring eight goals in 1,342 minutes of play. His Premier League record was particularly underwhelming, with only three goals to his name.

Injuries plagued Scamacca’s season, with four significant setbacks, three of which occurred in the latter half of the 2022/23 campaign. He missed 172 days in total, including the season’s final stretch after undergoing knee surgery in April. This injury-ridden spell contributed to his struggles at West Ham and ultimately led to his departure from the club. Reports emerged that Scamacca was eager to return to Italy, and he eventually moved to Atalanta after just one year in England.

Since his return to Serie A, Scamacca has enjoyed a resurgence in form. He played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s successful Europa League campaign, which included a victory over Liverpool. In total, Scamacca made 44 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists in 2,319 minutes of play. His performances earned him a starting spot for Italy at Euro 2024, where the Azzurri reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Switzerland.

Scamacca’s impressive form has drawn comparisons to West Ham’s new signing, Niclas Füllkrug, with the Italian outscoring the German striker during the 2023/24 season. This has led to questions about whether West Ham was too quick to offload the “deadly” forward, as described by scout Jacek Kulig.

A statistical comparison between Scamacca and Füllkrug highlights the Italian’s superior performance in several key areas. Scamacca averaged 0.74 goals per 90 minutes, nearly double Füllkrug’s 0.40 goals per 90. Scamacca also contributed 0.27 assists per 90, slightly edging out Füllkrug’s 0.25 assists. In terms of shooting, Scamacca took 3.74 shots per 90 minutes, with 1.56 of those being on target, compared to Füllkrug’s 2.34 shots and 0.93 shots on target per 90. Scamacca’s higher shot volume and accuracy underscore his greater goal threat.

Scamacca also excelled in progressive carries, averaging 1.43 per 90 minutes, compared to Füllkrug’s 0.76. This ability to move the ball toward the opponent’s goal or into the penalty area added another dimension to his game, making him a more versatile forward. However, Füllkrug outperformed Scamacca in aerial duels, winning 3.49 per 90 minutes, significantly more than Scamacca’s 1.60. Despite being three inches shorter than Scamacca, Füllkrug proved more effective in the air, an area where the Italian could have improved.

Unfortunately, Scamacca’s promising return to Italy was cut short by a cruciate ligament tear, which is expected to sideline him for at least six months. This injury has reignited concerns about his long-term fitness, an issue that West Ham may have factored into their decision to sell him. While his talent is undeniable, the risk of recurring injuries may have made him a less reliable option for the Hammers.

Looking ahead, West Ham’s decision to part ways with Scamacca will continue to be scrutinized, especially if the club’s current strikers fail to deliver the goals needed to push them up the Premier League table. Füllkrug, while a solid addition, has yet to demonstrate the same level of impact as Scamacca did during his time at Atalanta. If Scamacca can recover from his injury and return to his prolific form, West Ham may come to regret letting him go so early in his career.

In the meantime, Julen Lopetegui faces the challenge of integrating Füllkrug into the team and maximizing his potential. The German striker’s aerial prowess and experience in European competitions could prove valuable as the season progresses, but he will need to find the back of the net consistently to justify his place in the starting lineup. West Ham fans will be hoping that Füllkrug can step up and fill the void left by Scamacca, ensuring that the club doesn’t miss out on the goals needed to achieve their ambitions in the Premier League and beyond.

As West Ham navigates the challenges of the 2024/25 season, the decision to sell Scamacca will remain a topic of debate. Only time will tell whether the Hammers made the right choice, but for now, they must focus on getting the best out of their current squad and making the most of the opportunities ahead.